Vibha claims to her friend Neha that, "Meristematic cells are located only at the root and shoot apices". What do you think about this statement? What question can Neha ask Vibha to help her understand further if the statement is incorrect?

Vibha's statement is incomplete and therefore incorrect. Although apical meristems are present at the tips of roots and shoots and are responsible for an increase in length, meristematic tissues are not found only at these locations. Plants possess three types of meristematic tissues:

(1) Apical meristem: Present at root and shoot tips; responsible for increase in length.

(2) Lateral meristem: Present along the sides of stems; responsible for increase in girth.

(3) Intercalary meristem: Present at the base of internodes or near nodes in certain plants; responsible for regrowth after cutting.

Therefore, meristematic tissues are present at different locations in plants depending on their function.

Neha can ask Vibha:

'If meristematic cells are present only at root and shoot apices, then how does the stem increase in thickness or how do grasses regrow after being cut?'